Thyroid cartilage

Professional term: thyroid cartilage
German: Cartilago thyroidea

1 Definition

The thyroid cartilage is a cartilagineous part of the human larynx.

2 Anatomy

The thyroid cartilage consists of 2 cartilage disks that are connected to each other in the middle on anterior side. In cranial direction, there is a small indentation between the two thyroid cartilages, the so-called superior thyroid incision. It can be palpated from the outside. On the caudal end of the thyroid cartilage, you can find another, but smaller indentation, the inferior thyroid incision.

The following muscles insert on the exterior of the thyroid cartilage:

• Sternothyroideus muscle
• Thyrohyoideus muscle
• Constrictor pharyngis inferior muscle
• Cricothyroideus muscle

The thyroid cartilage forms the anatomical basis of the so-called Adam's apple.